Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has backed John Stones to seal a summer move away from Manchester City after falling out-of-favour under Pep Guardiola.
Much was expected of the Englishman when he arrived at the Etihad Stadium, but the defender has failed to take his game to the next level under Guardiola.
English football manager and former player Jamie Redknapp believes the defender should end his association with the Cityzens with Arsenal put forward as a ‘good fit’ for the England defender.
I’m also wondering, what’s next for John Stones? Redknapp pondered in his column for the Daily Mail.
“One of Virgil van Dijk’s biggest assets is his decision-making. He knows when to play and when to put the ball into row-Z. With Stones, that’s been a downfall.
“He is quick, strong and brave in the air but he’s made high-profile mistakes. The spotlight has been on him since he was signed from Everton for £47.5million, so his errors always catch attention.
“But Stones is still only 26 – the same age Van Dijk was when he joined Liverpool. He is young enough to mould but has only started once in the league under Pep Guardiola since January.
“Arsenal need a centre back, and Mikel Arteta knows Stones from his City days. That could be a good fit.”
Stones has fallen down the central defensive pecking order at City and is now behind Aymeric Laporte, Nicolas Otamendi and Eric Garcia
Pep Guardiola has preferred holding midfielder Fernandinho at centre-half at times which is an ominous sign for the former Everton defender.
Stones, who joined in summer 2016, has endured a difficult campaign because of injury and loss of form and Guardiola said the 26-year-old’s confidence had been affected.
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